SUPER DTP postgraduate researchers (PGRs) are encouraged to undertake an internship during the course of their studies to support their personal and career development.
Internships undertaken as part of the SUPER DTP are intended to generate mutual benefit between students and host organisations and to enhance the quality or impact of research.
The SUPER internships guidance document outlines more information for PGRs and host organisations about internship benefits, suggested timings, logistics, and how to find or set up internships.
Another useful resource is a guide to gaining work experience outside academia from Vitae, The researcher on placement.
Experiences
SUPER PGRs share their experiences of undertaking an internship:
- Sophie Smith: JNCC (UKRI Policy Internships Scheme), 2025.
- Victoria Gillman: Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 2023.
- Callum Hamilton: Rastech, 2023.
- Sophie Smith: Deutsches Meeremuseum Stralsund, 2023.
- Charlotte Lee: MiAlgae, 2023.
- Izzy Langley: SMRU Consulting, 2023.
- Jack Sheehy: JNCC (UKRI Policy Internships Scheme), 2021.
- Lydia McGill: NatureScot, 2020.
Current Opportunities
Below are internship opportunities or short fixed-term vacancies that the SUPER team have found. If they do not suit, you can source your own opportunities by defining what you are looking for and making approaches to relevant organisations. The list of SUPER DTP associate partners is a useful reference for possible organisations to contact.
Those with Deadlines
TechFest Festival Assistants
TechFest is a charitable organisation that promotes STEM to young people. This is a 2-5 day paid opportunity in May at Aberdeen. The deadline to apply is Friday 6 March.
Galloway Fisheries Trust Solway INNS Control and Knowledge Programme Internship
Galloway Fisheries Trust is a conservation charity working on fish populations, their habitats and water quality across the freshwaters of Galloway. The successful applicant will be involved in delivering INNS control, work with schools and communities to increase knowledge of INNS. This is a full time internship for 6 months from April to October, paid at £470.75 a week, and based in Dumfries & Galloway. The deadline to apply is Friday 6 March.
Springer Nature Nature News Intern
This internship is an opportunity to gain experience in research, reporting and writing science news for Nature, the science journal. This is a full time internship for 3 months from June to August, paid at London living wage, and based hybrid around London. The deadline to apply is Monday 9 March.
MBARI Summer Internship Programme
MBARI’s state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, including research vessels, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), offer educators and students unique opportunities to collaborate on advanced research and development projects. The program immerses interns in collaborative teams as they learn innovative research and engineering techniques and improve communication skills. Each intern will have an MBARI mentor who will supervise a specific project. This is a full time internship for 10 weeks, from June to August, with a stipend of $22/hour (~£16.40) based in California. The deadline to apply is Monday 9 March.
Scottish Invasive Species Initiative Seasonal Project Officers x6
The Scottish Invasive Species Initiative is a multi-year project in northern Scotland, which aims to encourage communities to tackle invasive non-native species such as Japanese knotweed, giant hogweed and American mink. It is funded by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration
Fund. The Seasonal Project Officer will work across catchment areas and rivers with the Project Officer and Volunteer and Communication Officer to deliver the project this summer. You will be involved in all local aspects of the project: volunteer recruitment and management, control of invasive non-native plants and American mink species control, monitoring and record keeping and communications. This is a great chance to work in a nationally important project, gain or enhance your experience and make a real difference to Scotland’s nature. There are six positions across Scotland, either full time or part time for 4 months, June to September, paid at £30,076 pro rata. The deadline to apply is Monday 16 March.
Northumberland IFCA Placements
The successful applicant will work on the delivery of individual projects directly informing inshore fisheries management as part of NIFCA’s ongoing duties. As well as working on projects, you will have the opportunity to assist with additional environmental survey work and other aspects of work. This is a part-time role for 20 hours per week for 4-6 weeks between June and September paid at £13.45 an hour and based in Blythe. The deadline to apply is Sunday 29 March.
Open Recruitment
Level E Research Internships
Level E was established in 2018 to use artificial intelligence to deliver better outcomes for end investors. They are based in Edinburgh. PhD internships are available throughout the year for machine learning research. These typically last 3-6 months, and can potentially lead to a full time position.
The Technology Partnership Industry Internships
TTP is an independent technology company where scientists, engineers, and designers collaborate to invent and develop new products and technologies. Your internship will see you putting your technical and research skills to work within a commercially focused environment; providing the opportunity to experience how your academic knowledge and skillsets could be utilised within an industry setting. Flexible length of programme, usually between 3 to 6 months. Internships are paid.
People’s Trust for Endangered Species Student Internship
The PTES Wildlife Conservation Internship Programme began in 2001. Since then over 90 young people have benefited, working on practical projects helping hedgehogs, water voles, pine martens, bats, adders, bottlenose dolphins, numerous butterflies and a host of other species. Internships range from full time for 6 months, up to 18 months part-time. A grant of up to £5,000 is available to support living costs whilst the work is undertaken.
The United Nations Internship Programme
The UN offers internships across multiple departments in locations worldwide. Internships last for at least two and can be as long as six months and are unpaid, but some support is available through your TSG. Apply for open positions, or specifically for the UN Environment Programme.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Policy Internships
Successful interns will provide support to OECD Policy Analysts in one of many areas, including climate, energy, and science and technology. Typical tasks include:
- participating in the preparation of studies and documents, carrying out research and reviews of existing materials;
- collecting, organising, and analysing data;
- contributing to the production of documents, working papers and publications resulting from the above activities, including drafting notes and preparing technical annexes, and;
- liaising and building networks with officials in national administrations, researchers, other international organisations and member country Delegations.
The majority of internships are based in Paris, France and are full time for 1 to 6 months. Interns receive a contribution to living expenses of ~700€/mnth.
STEM Ambassador Programme
The STEM Ambassador programme through STEM Learning is flexible, allowing you to volunteer in a way that suits you, it could be online or in person, in schools or in community groups, by supporting lessons or extra-curricular activities and working with young people or their educators. STEM Ambassadors make an impact by:
- Supporting learning – help young people to understand the real world applications of their learning.
- Illuminating careers – showcase different careers, providing information on roles and pathways into industry while raising awareness of the skills that are important in the workplace.
- Raising aspirations – give young people the opportunity to meet a wide range of inspiring role models, encouraging them as they think about their future.